Sliding door latch with self-retracting finger pull

ABSTRACT

A sliding door deadbolt assembly containing a self-retracting finger pull mechanism is described. Provided is a latch assembly having a self-latching deadbolt assembly for mounting to a sliding door and latching with a strike plate mounted in a door frame and a self-retracting finger pull mechanism for accessing the sliding door from within a surrounding framework. Specified are a housing for fitting within the sliding door, a self-latching deadbolt for engaging with the strike plate means, a mechanism for sliding the self-latching deadbolt between a nonengaging position and an engaging position for latching with the strike plate, and a self-retracting finger pull mechanism comprising a finger pull member having first and second ends, a finger grasping recess proximate the finger pull member first end, a self-retracting finger pull mechanism within the self-latching deadbolt for providing access to the finger pull member and for retracting the finger pull member, and a finger pull attachment located proximate the finger pull member second end for providing a hinged connection to the self-retracting finger pull mechanism.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation-in-part of copending application Ser. No.08/396,557 filed on Mar. 1, 1995 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,529,351 which is acontinuation-in-part of 08/210,694, issued U.S. Pat. No. 5,452,928 filedon Mar. 17, 1995 1994.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Disclosed is a self-latching mechanism for a sliding door that includesdeadbolt access means or a self-retracting finger pull. Morespecifically, an improved latch device or self-latching deadboltassembly for a sliding door is provided that includes, in addition tothe self-retracting finger pull, a deadbolt having a single leveradapted with resilient means for engaging a strike plate. With the aidof guiding means, the latching mechanism of the self-latching deadboltassembly functions to engage the strike plate both when the deadbolt isextended before or after closing the door. To access sliding door fromwithin the surrounding sliding door framework, the self-retractingfinger pull is fitted into the exposed end of the deadbolt.

2. Description of the Background Art

Door latches for pocket or sliding doors exist in various forms. Many ofthese latching means have some form of sliding deadbolt that extends,when the door is in a closed position, from within the door and into areceiving strike plate in the door frame. However, these existinglatches require an additional means for accessing the sliding door fromwithin the surrounding framework. The subject invention combines thesliding door deadbolt assembly with a finger pull access mechanism,thereby overcoming previous space, appearance, and structurallimitations inherent in having both a deadbolt and an access meanswithin the sliding door.

A type of handleless cabinet latch that is found on specific styles ofcabinets to create a handle-free appearance is comprised of a mechanismhaving an outer frame with an internal piston. The internal piston has amagnet fixed to one end that binds a metallic plate fastened to theinside of the cabinet door thereby holding the door in a closed positionwhen the plunger is retracted within its outer frame. The cabinet dooris pushed slightly and the piston is released from within its outerframe and extends to a position in which the door is sufficiently ajarfor a user to grasp the door edge as a handle for completely opening thecabinet. The internal mechanism for the piston-frame apparatus comprisesa sloped track within the piston in which one end of a guide pin (theother end affixed to the outer frame) travels to permit the closed andopen positions as the only options in a cyclic path that lead fromclosed to open or open to closed.

Specifically concerning issued patents, U.S. Pat. No. 4,566,725 relatesa deadlock mechanism for a sliding door that comprises a pair of levers,each with an ear and a projecting lug. No ability for self-latching ispresent in this device. As the deadbolt is thrown into the strike plate,the pair of levels extend and lock behind the edges of the strike plate.Should the deadbolt be extended before the door is closed, theprojecting levers prevent the deadbolt from entering the strike plate.

Further, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,452,928, issued to the inventor ofthe subject invention, is a sliding door self-latching apparatus thatincludes, except for the self-retracting finger pull mechanism, many ofthe features of the subject invention. However, a limitation that isfound in the '928 invention is that since the sliding door when open iscompletely within its surrounding frame and within the wall a separatehandle or finger pull is need to withdraw the door from its compartment.The subject invention overcomes this limitation by providing anintegrated deadbolt-finger pull device for accessing the sliding door.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to disclose an improved latchingmechanism having a finger access means for a sliding door.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improvedsliding door latch that repeatedly, reliably, and securely holds asliding door closed against a strike plate mounted in a door frame andprovides an integrated handle or finger access means for accessing thedoor.

A further object of the present invention is to disclose an improvedsimple self-latching pocket door mechanism having a self-retractingfinger pull that utilizes a guided single latching lever that engageswith a receiving strike plate mounted in a door frame and aself-retracting finger pull mechanism that cycles between a retractedposition which is flush within the end of a deadbolt and an extendedposition in which a user may employ his or her finger or fingers toexert force upon the door for sliding the door from within itssurrounding enclosure within a wall.

Still another object of the present invention is to describe an improvedsliding door mechanism having a self-retracting finger pull pivotallysecured within a deadbolt and utilizes a single spring associated leverand guiding means also within the deadbolt for engaging and latchingwith a receiving strike plate mounted in a door frame.

Disclosed is a latch assembly for mounting to a sliding door andengaging with a strike plate means that comprises a housing for fittingwithin the sliding door, deadbolt means associated with the housing forengaging with the strike plate means, and self-retracting finger pullmeans associated with the deadbolt means for accessing the sliding doorfrom within a surrounding framework. Also, included is a deadboltextension means associated with the housing for sliding the deadboltmeans between a nonengaging position and an engaging position within thestrike plate means.

More specifically, the deadbolt means is usually a self-latchingdeadbolt means and the self-retracting finger pull means comprises afinger pull member having first and second ends, finger grasping meansproximate the finger pull member first end, self-retraction means withinthe self-latching deadbolt means for providing access to the finger pullmember and for retracting the finger pull member, and finger pullattachment means proximate the finger pull member second end forproviding a hinged connection to the self-retraction means. Further, theself-retraction means comprises a plunger member fitted within areceiving aperture formed in the self-latching deadbolt means, plungerbiasing means coupled between the plunger member and the receivingaperture, a continuous channel formed in the plunger member, and channelfollowing means for locking the plunger in a retracted position and forretaining the plunger in an extended position.

Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the present inventionwill become apparent from the detailed description that follows, whenconsidered in conjunction with the associated drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the subject invention with the deadboltin an extended position.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the subject invention with the deadboltin a retracted position and with the finger pull member retracted.

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the subject invention with the deadboltin a retracted position and with the finger pull member extended.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the subject invention with the deadboltin a partially extended position showing the partial pivoting of thelever.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the subject invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the deadbolt assembly, minus thefront mounting plate.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the deadbolt showing internalcomponents of the self-retracting finger pull means.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to FIGS. 4-6, there is shown a preferred embodiment of thecombination deadbolt means and self-retracting finger pull means for asliding door. Normally, the subject device is utilized in connectionwith a typical sliding door. The sliding door itself is mounted in apocket frame or equivalent structure that fits within a wall. When auser desires to close the door, the door is slid out of the pocket. Thesubject invention provides the user with a means for accessing the doorfrom within its packet frame and for locking the closed door (slid outof pocket) against a strike plate S mounted on the frame.

The subject invention is described in detail below in terms ofincorporating a self-retracting finger pull in to a deadbolt assemblythat includes a self-latching deadbolt, however, the subject inventiongenerally comprises the self-retracting finger pull incorporated intoany type of deadbolt means. The use of a particular self-latchingdeadbolt assembly is for illustrative purposes only and is useful forspecifically describing one preferred embodiment of the subjectinvention, but does not limit the use of the self-retracting finger pullmeans to only deadbolt devices having a self-latching property.

Specifically, the subject apparatus comprises a housing constructionfrom a first side plate 5, a second side plate 10, a back plate 15, anda front mounting plate 20. The four housing components (5, 10, 15, and20) cooperate to hold or encase the remaining elements of the subjectapparatus. Other equivalent configurations are contemplated to be withinthe realm of this disclosure and include fabrication designs thatincorporate combined or additional similar elements.

The housing fits within the sliding door D. The front mounting plate 20is secured to the door D by standard means such as screws, bolts, andthe like. A recessed handle H is utilized to permit the sliding door Dto slide within its surrounding framework within the wall.

Within the housing and part of a deadbolt assembly is a self-latchingdeadbolt means that engages the strike plate S. As seen in FIGS. 1-5, adeadbolt 25 is held within the housing. FIG. 1 illustrates the deadbolt25 in an extended and strike plate S engaging position (the hook means55 on the lever 40 projects away from the perspective presented in FIG.1, see below for more details on the hook means 55 and the lever 40).FIGS. 2A and 2B depict the deadbolt 25 in a retracted and strike plate Snonengaging position with the finger pull means either retracted in FIG.2A or extended in FIG. 2B (see below for details). FIG. 3 depicts thedeadbolt 25 in an intermediate or partially extended position. Althoughother equivalent conformations are possible for the deadbolt 25. FIGS. 4and 5 show a typical structure for the deadbolt 25. The deadbolt 25 hasa first end that enters the strike plate S and a second end that slideswithin the housing. A longitudinal aperture 30 is formed in the deadbolt25 and extends to proximate the deadbolt first end. A notch 35,utilizing in sliding the deadbolt 25 between open and closed positions,is formed proximate the deadbolt second end. A deadbolt guide 32 fitswithin the housing to stabilize the sliding of the deadbolt 25 andsecuring the two halves of the housing 5 and 10 together.

A lever 40 has a first or head end that extends towards the strike plateS and a second or foot end that is directed away from the strike plateS. When assembled, the lever 40 is fitted within the longitudinalaperture 30 and held by pivoting means that permit pivoting such as apivot screw or pin 45 mounted in a pivot screw or pin receiving aperturein the deadbolt 25.

Hooking means are associated with the lever first end and are utilizedfor engaging or hooking within or to the strike plate S when thedeadbolt 25 is extended. Preferably, the hooking means comprises a hook55 formed proximate the lever first end.

A critical element of the present invention is the ability of the deviceto latch the hook 55 into the strike plate S even if the deadbolt 25 isextended when the sliding door D is closed and the deadbolt 25 insertedinto the strike plate S. This hooking or latching ability is provided,in part, by a channel 60 shaped into the lever 40. The channel 60extends from proximate the lever second end towards the lever first end.Within the channel 60 is a biasing means that is typically a spring 65.The spring 65 fits within the channel 60 and provides a moving pivotpoint within the channel 60 for the pivot screw or pin 45. If thedeadbolt 25 is partially or completely extended when the door is slidshut onto the strike plate S, the hook 55 and associated lever 40 merelycompress the spring 65. As the spring 65 compresses and shifts the pivotpoint, the lever 40 pivots into the longitudinal aperture 30. Since thelever 40 and hook 55 are within the longitudinal aperture 30 thedeadbolt 25 passes into the strike plate S and the hook 55 snaps out ofthe longitudinal aperture 30 and behind the strike plate S to secure orlatch the sliding door closed.

Further aiding in the hooking and latching movement of the pivotinglever 40 is a guide means comprising a guide aperture 95 formed in anusually, but necessarily, through the lever 40 and a guide screw or pin100 that extends through a guide screw or pin receiving aperture in thedeadbolt 25 and into and usually, but not necessarily, through the guideaperture 95. The guide screw or pin 100 may merely fit within a guideaperture 95 that partially penetrates the lever 40. Specifically, asseen in FIG. 4, the guide aperture is located within the lever 40 andextends from proximate the first or head end of the lever 40 andproximate or partially beside the channel 60. The interaction betweenguide screw or pin 100 and the internal shape of the guide aperture 95dictates the limits of the path available to the lever 40 during thepivoting motion for latching and unlatching with the strike plate S.Although the preferred shape of the guide aperture 95 is generallytriangular, other shapes for the guide aperture 95 are consideredacceptable if the selected shape of the guide aperture 95 is such thatwhen the deadbolt 25 is extended the lever 40 is directed out of thechannel 30 and when the deadbolt 25 is retracted, the shape of the guideaperture 95 aids in the directed movement of the lever 40 into thechannel 30. The guide aperture 95 is no restricted to a tightly confinedpathway for the guide screw or pin 100, but is fairly spacious. Theguide aperture 40 has sufficient space for variability in the exactpivotal position of the lever 40, thus permitting an assisting or aidingaction in the pivoting and not a strictly forced direction path. Byplacing limits of the pivoting motion of the lever 40, the guide meanshelps to establish a reliable latching motion for the lever 40.

Deadbolt extension means are provided to actuate the sliding of thedeadbolt assembly between a nonengaging position and an engagingposition for latching the hook 55 with the strike plate S. Preferably,although not exclusively the extension means comprises a cam-lever 70that fits within the deadbolt notch 35. The cam lever 70 is pivotedwithin the housing to slide the deadbolt 25 in and out by rotating withsuitable means such as a standard handle attached to the coupling region75. As seen in FIG. 4 and 5, the cam-lever 70 is configured to fitwithin the deadbolt notch 35 and upon appropriate rotation the cam-lever70 forces the deadbolt 25 out of and into the housing. In FIGS. 1-3 thetop of the cam-lever 70 is seen in three positions partially extendingabove the deadbolt notch 35. To provide suitable resistance for thedeadbolt 25 out and in sliding movement, resilient means, using a spring80, is supplied.

Generally, the self-retracting finger pull means is a mechanism thatsupplies a finger pull from within its integrated placement within thesurrounding deadbolt 25. The term “self-retracting” indicates that oncethe finger pull has been accessed by releasing it from within thesurrounding deadbolt 25 it is reset to a retracted position either bymanually pushing it back into the deadbolt 25 or by the more action ofinserting the deadbolt 25 within the strike plate means S. When the endof the deadbolt 25 that contains the finger pull is forced against aback wall of the strike plate the internal mechanism of the finger pullmeans cycles or “self-retracts” into the retracted position and is heldthere until the user once again needs it for accessing the sliding doorfrom within its surrounding frame.

Specifically, the self-retracting finger pull means for accessing thesliding door from within the surrounding framework comprises a fingerpull member 110 having first and second ends. The finger pull member 110is configured to fit flush in the end of the deadbolt 25 to provide agenerally flat surface which is actually the end of the finger pulladapted deadbolt 25. Included in the self-retracting finger pull meansis a finger grasping means 115 that is located proximate the finger pullmember 110 first end. Usually the finger grasping means 115 is hookedconfiguration (see FIG. 6) that is easy to grasp with one or morefingers. Additionally, finger pull attachment means is adapted proximatethe finger pull member 110 second end for providing a hinged connection120 to the self-retraction means at an attachment point 125. Generally,the finger pull attachment means is a traditional hinge formed in thefinger pull member 110 second end via the hinged connection 120 to theattachment point 125.

As best seen in FIG. 5, self-retraction means within the deadbolt 25means is supplied for providing access to the finger pull member 110 andfor retracting the finger pull member 110 within the deadbolt 25 meanswhen not needed. More specifically, the self-retraction means comprisesseveral components including a reciprocable plunger member 130 fittedwithin a receiving aperture 135 formed in the deadbolt means. Further,included in the self-retraction means is a plunger biasing means coupledbetween the plunger member 130 and an anchoring point within thereceiving aperture 135. The biasing means is usually a spring 140 fittedbetween the second end of the plunger 130 and the end wall of thereceiving aperture 135.

Additionally, a continuous channel 145 is formed in the plunger member130 that directs, in conjunction with a channel following means, acyclic retracted to extended path of the plunger 130 within thereceiving aperture 135 formed in the deadbolt 25. The continuous channel145 is inclined or sloped between its two outer end extremes andincludes locking regions 150 and 155 (for use in conjunction with thechannel following means described below) at each of the two outer endextremes.

preferably, the channel following means from locking cyclically orrepeatedly the plunger 130 in a retracted position or in an extendedposition within the receiving aperture 135 comprises an elongatedchannel following member 160 having first and second ends. The channelfollowing member 160 is usually a thin and somewhat flexible wire thatis shaped into a suitable form. Included in the channel following member160 is a channel following finger 165 formed at the first elongatedchannel following member end. Additionally, provided is an elongatedchannel following member biasing means associated with the secondelongated channel following member end. The biasing means is generally aspring 170 that allows the channel following means to track within andfollow the channel is 145. Anchoring means 175 are included for securingthe elongated channel following member biasing means 170 and the secondelongated channel following member end 180 proximate the receivingaperture formed in the sliding deadbolt member 25. Generally, theanchoring means 175 is a protrusion around which the biasing spring 170fastens to hold the second elongated channel following member end 180.

preferably, within the channel and located at approximately its twoouter end extremes are locking regions 150 and 155 into which thechannel following finger 165 fits to hold the plunger 130 in either itsretracted or extended positions. When the plunger 130 is pushed inslightly (just enough to force the channel following finger 165 fromwithin its current locking region 150 or 155 and into the sloped channel145 between the two extremes 150 and 155) the plunger 130 is freed totravel into its next position (i.e. the retracted position in which thefinger 165 is in region 150 and then travels to the extended position inwhich the finger 165 is in region 155 (FIG. 5 shows the extendedposition) or the reverse in which the finger travels from the extendedposition to the retracted position).

Typically, a user employs the subject device by mounting in a suitablesliding door D. Specifically, with the self-latching deadbolt meansembodiment, the door D is accessing via pushing in on theself-retracting finger pull which releases the finger pull member 110for usage by the operator. With the self-latching deadbolt embodimentthe operator does not need to be worried about whether or not thedeadbolt 25 is extended when the door D is closed onto the strike plateS. In any withdrawn (FIGS. 2A and 2B), partially extended (FIG. 3), ortotally extended (FIG. 1) position the deadbolt 25 will pass into thereceiving strike plate S opening. The lever 40 and associated hook 55deflect into the deadbolt longitudinal aperture 30 via the variablepivot point within the lever channel 60, as aided by the limits set byguide means. When the subject finger pull means is extended and thedeadbolt 25 enters the strike plate 25, the finger pull means retractsinto a flush position and is internal to and integral with the deadbolt25. When the deadbolt 25 is withdrawn from the strike plate S and backinto the housing the lever 40 cooperates with the housing structure,also aided by the guide means, to pivot the lever 40 back into thelongitudinal aperture to release the strike plate S. Usually, a nub 85on the lever 40 catches within a slot 90 in the housing and initiatespivoting of the lever 40 and associated book 55 into the longitudinalaperture 30.

The invention has now been explained with reference to specificembodiments. Other embodiments will be suggested to those of ordinaryskill in the appropriate art upon review of the present specification.

Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail byway of illustration and example for purposes of clarity ofunderstanding, it will be obvious that certain changes and modificationsmay be practiced within the scope of the appended claims.

1. A latch assembly for mounting to a sliding door and engaging with astrike plate means, comprising: a) housing for fitting within thesliding door; b) deadbolt means associated with said housing forengaging with the strike plate means; and c) self-retracting finger pullmeans associated with said deadbolt means for accessing the sliding doorfrom within a surrounding framework, wherein said selfretracting fingerpull means comprises: i) a finger pull member having first and secondends; ii) finger grasping means proximate said finger pull member firstend; iii) self-retraction means within said deadbolt means for providingaccess to said finger pull member and for retracting said finger pullmember, wherein said self-retraction means comprises: a plunger memberfitted within a receiving aperture formed in said deadbolt means;plunger biasing means coupled between said plunger member and saidreceiving aperture; a continuous channel formed in said plunger member;and channel following means for locking said plunger in a retractedposition and for retaining said plunger in an extended position, and iv)finger pull attachment means proximate said finger pull member secondend for providing a hinged connection to said self-retraction means. 2.A latch assembly for mounting to a sliding door and engaging with astrike plate means, comprising: a) a housing for fitting within thesliding door; b) self-latching deadbolt means associated with saidhousing for engaging with the strike plate means; c) self-retractingfinger pull means associated with said self-latching deadbolt means foraccessing the sliding door from within a surrounding framework, whereinsaid self-retracting finger pull means comprises: i) a finger pullmember having first and second ends; ii) finger grasping means proximatesaid finger pull member first end; iii) self-retraction means withinsaid self-latching deadbolt means for providing access to said fingerpull member and for retracting said finger pull member, wherein saidself-retraction means comprises: a plunger member fitted within areceiving aperture formed in said self-latching deadbolt means; plungerbiasing means coupled between said plunger member and said receivingaperture; a continuous channel formed in said plunger member; andchannel following means for locking said plunger in a retracted positionand for retaining said plunger in an extended position; and iv) fingerpull attachment means proximate and finger pull member second end forproviding a hinged connection to said self-retraction means; and d)deadbolt extension means associated with said housing for sliding saidself-latching deadbolt means between a nonengaging position and anengaging position with the strike plate means.
 3. A latch assembly formounting to a sliding door and engaging with a strike plate means,comprising: a) a housing for fitting within the sliding door; b) adeadbolt assembly comprising: i) a sliding deadbolt member having firstand second ends; ii) a lever having first and second ends; iii) hookingmeans associated with said lever first end for engaging the strike platemeans; iv) a channel formed within said lever extending from proximatesaid lever second end towards said lever first end; v) pivoting meansfor connecting said lever by said channel to said deadlock member; andvi) biasing means for providing a variable point of pivoting within saidchannel whereby said pivoting varies from proximate said lever secondend toward said lever first end; c) self-retracting finger pull meansassociated with said self-latching deadbolt means for accessing thesliding door from within a surrounding framework; wherein saidself-retracting finger pull means comprises: i) a finger pull memberhaving first and second ends; ii) finger grasping means proximate saidfinger pull member first end; iii) self-retraction means within saidself-latching deadbolt means for providing access to said finger pullmember and for retracting said finger pull member; and iv) finger pullattaching means proximate said finger pull member second end forproviding a hinged connection to said self-retraction means; and d)deadbolt extension means for sliding and deadbolt assembly between anonengaging position and an engaging position with the strike platemeans.
 4. A latch assembly according to claim 3, wherein saidself-retraction means comprises: a) a plunger member fitted within areceiving aperture formed in said self-latching deadbolt means; b)plunger biasing means coupled between said plunger member and saidreceiving aperture; c) a continuous channel formed in said plungermember; and d) channel following means for locking said plunger in aretracted position and for retaining said plunger in an extendedposition.
 5. A self-latching deadbolt assembly for mounting in a slidingdoor and engaging with a strike plate means, comprising: a) a slidingdeadbolt member having first and second ends; b) a lever having firstand second ends; c) hooking means associated with said lever first endfor engaging the strike plate means, wherein said hooking meanscomprises a hook formed in said lever proximate said lever first end; d)a channel formed within said lever extending from proximate said leversecond end towards said lever first end; e) pivoting means forconnecting said lever by said channel to said deadbolt member; f)biasing means for providing a variable point of pivoting within saidchannel whereby said pivoting varies from proximate said lever secondend toward said lever first end and wherein said biasing means comprisesa spring fitted within said channel the cooperates with said pivotingmeans; g) guide means for aiding in directing the motion of said lever;and h) self-retracting finger pull means for accessing said sliding doorfrom within a surrounding framework, wherein said self-retracting fingerpull means comprises: i) a finger pull member having first and secondends; ii) finger grasping means proximate said finger pull member firstend; iii) self-retraction means within said self-latching deadbolt meansfor providing access to said finger pull member and for retracting saidfinger pull member; and iv) finger pull attachment means proximate saidfinger pull member second end for providing a hinged connection to saidself-retraction means.
 6. A self-latching deadbolt assembly according toclaim 5, wherein said self-retracting means comprises: a) a plungermember fitted within a receiving aperture formed in said self-latchingdeadbolt means; b) plunger biasing means coupled between said plungermember and said receiving aperture; c) a continuous channel formed insaid plunger member; and d) channel following means for locking said ina retracted position and for retaining said plunger in an extendedposition.
 7. A latch assembly for mounting to a sliding door andengaging with a strike plate means, comprising: a) a housing for fittingwithin the sliding door; b) self-latching deadbolt means associated withsaid housing for engaging with the strike plate means comprising adeadbolt assembly comprising: i) a sliding deadbolt member having firstand second ends; ii) a lever having first and second ends; iii) hookingmeans associated with said lever first end for engaging the strike platemeans; iv) a channel formed within said lever extending from proximatesaid lever second end towards said lever first end; v) pivoting meansfor connecting said lever by said channel to said deadbolt member; vi)biasing means for providing a variable point of pivoting within saidchannel whereby said pivoting varies from proximate said lever secondend toward said lever first end; and vii) guide means for aiding indirecting the motion of said lever; c) deadbolt extension meansassociated with said housing for sliding said self-latching deadboltmeans between a nonengaging position and an engaging position with thestrike plate means; and d) self-retracting finger pull means foraccessing said sliding door, wherein said self-retracting finger pullmeans comprises: i) a finger pull member having first and second ends;ii) finger grasping means proximate said finger pull member first end;iii) self-retraction means within said sliding deadbolt member forproviding access to said finger pull member and for retracting saidfinger pull member, and iv) finger pull attachment means proximate saidfinger pull member second end for providing a hinged connection to saidself-retracting means.
 8. A self-latching deadbolt assembly according toclaim 7, wherein said self-retraction means comprises: a) a plungermember fitted within a receiving aperture formed in said slidingdeadbolt member; b) plunger biasing means coupled between said plungermember and said receiving aperture; c) a continuous channel formed insaid plunger member; and d) a channel following means for locking saidplunger in a retracted position and for retaining said plunger in anextended position.
 9. A latch assembly according to claim 8, whereinsaid channel following means comprises: a) an elongated channelfollowing member having first and second ends; b) a channel followingfinger formed at said first elongated channel following member end; c)elongated channel following member biasing means associated with saidsecond elongated channel following member end; and d) anchoring meansfor securing said elongated channel following member biasing means andsaid second elongated channel following member end proximate saidreceiving aperture formed in said sliding deadblock member.
 10. A latchassembly for mounting to a sliding door and engaging with a strike-latemeans, comprising: a) a housing for fitting within the sliding door; b)self-latching deadbolt means associated with said housing for engagingwith the strike plate means comprising a deadbolt assembly comprising:i) a sliding deadbolt member having first and second ends; ii) a leverhaving first and second ends; iii) hooking means associated with saidlever first end for engaging the strike plate means, wherein saidhooking means comprises a hook formed in said lever proximate said leverfirst end; iv) a channel formed within said lever extending fromproximate said lever second end towards said lever first end; v)pivoting means for connecting said lever by said channel to saiddeadbolt member; vi) biasing means for providing a variable point ofpivoting within said channel whereby said pivoting varies from proximatesaid lever second end toward said lever first end and wherein saidbiasing means comprises a spring fitted within said channel thatcooperates with said pivoting means; and vii) guide means for aiding indirecting the motion of said lever, wherein said guide means comprises:a guide aperture formed in said lever; a guide pin that fits within saidguide aperture; a guide pin receiving aperture formed in said deadboltmember which secures said guide pin within said guide aperture; c)deadbolt extension means associated with said housing for sliding saidself-latching deadbolt means between a nonengaging position and anengaging position with the strike plate means; and d) self-retractingfinger pull means for accessing said sliding door from within asurrounding framework, wherein said self-retracting finger pull meanscomprises: i) a finger pull member having first and second ends; ii)finger grasping means proximate said finger pull member first end; iii)self-retraction means within said sliding deadbolt member for providingaccess to said finger pull member and for retracting said finger pullmember; and iv) finger pull attachment means proximate said finger pullmember second end for providing a hinged connection to saidself-retraction means.
 11. A self-latching deadbolt assembly accordingto claim 10, wherein said self-retraction means comprises: a) a plungermember fitted within a received aperture formed in said sliding deadboltmember; b) plunger biasing means coupled between said plunger member andsaid receiving aperture; c) a continuous channel formed in said plungermember; and d) channel following means for locking said plunger in aretracted position and for retaining said plunger in an extendedposition.
 12. A latch assembly according to claim 11, wherein saidchannel following means comprises: a) an elongated channel followingmember having first and second ends; b) a channel following fingerformed at said first elongated channel following member end; c)elongated channel following member biasing means associated with saidsecond elongated channel following member end; and d) anchoring meansfor securing said elongated channel following member biasing means andsaid second elongated channel following member end proximate saidreceiving aperture formed in said sliding deadbolt member.
 13. A latchassembly comprising: a latch housing; a deadbolt slideably positionablein the latch housing; and a pull, coupled to a distal end of thedeadbolt and positionable relative to the deadbolt, including a fingerpull member and a self retraction mechanism, wherein the self-retractionmechanism includes: a plunger member coupled to the finger pull memberand fitted within a receiving aperture formed in the deadbolt; a biasingmember coupled between the plunger member and the receiving aperture; acontinuous channel formed in the plunger member; and a channel followercoupled to the plunger member for locking the plunger member in aretracted position and for retaining the plunger member in an extendedposition.
 14. The latch assembly of claim 13 wherein the pull includes afinger pull member pivotally coupled to the distal end of the deadboltand rotatably positionable between a stowed position and a use position.15. The latch assembly of claim 14, wherein the finger pull memberincludes a tab extending therefrom which is received within a slotformed in the distal end of the deadbolt when the finger pull member isin the stowed position.
 16. The latch assembly of claim 13 wherein thefinger pull member is coupled to the plunger member for reciprocatingmovement relative to the deadbolt.
 17. The latch assembly of claim 16wherein the finger pull member is pivotally coupled to a distal end ofthe plunger member and rotatably positionable between a stowed positionand a use position.
 18. The latch assembly of claim 17 wherein thefinger pull member includes a tab extending therefrom which is receivedwithin a slot formed in the distal end of the deadbolt when the fingerpull member is in the stowed position and the plunger member is in theretracted position.
 19. A latch assembly comprising: a latch housing; adeadbolt slideably positionable in the latch housing; and a pull,coupled to a distal end of the deadbolt and positionable relative to thedeadbolt, including a finger pull member and a self retractionmechanism, wherein the self-retraction mechanism includes: a plungermember coupled to the finger pull member and fitted within a receivingaperture formed in the deadbolt; and a channel follower coupled to theplunger member for locking the plunger member in a retracted positionand for retaining the plunger member in an extended position.
 20. Thelatch assembly of claim 19, wherein the self-retraction mechanismfurther comprises a biasing member, coupled between the plunger memberand the receiving aperture, for biasing the plunger member towards theextended position.
 21. The latch assembly of claim 19, wherein theself-retraction mechanism further comprises a continuous channel formedin the plunger member.
 22. The latch assembly of claim 19, wherein thefinger pull member is coupled to the plunger member for reciprocatingmovement relative to the deadbolt.
 23. The latch assembly of claim 22,wherein the finger pull member is pivotally coupled to a distal end ofthe plunger member and rotatably positionable between a stowed positionand a use position.
 24. The latch assembly of claim 23 wherein thefinger pull member includes a tab extending therefrom which is receivedwithin a slot formed in the distal end of the deadbolt when the fingerpull member is in the stowed position and the plunger member is in theretracted position.